Handling on 1997 e450
I am the proud new owner of a 98 24'rsb born free that has been very well taking care of. I have read several posts on here about handling issues and fixes of the ford chassis. This one is the E-sup...
Forum Discussion
OEM front sway bar is 1" and OEM rear is 1-1/8". Just measured the two leaning against my house. (free for shipping if anybody wants them). You can probably find poly bushing kits that would improve performance of stock bars. Hellwig upgrades are 1-3/8" front and 1-1/2" rear. Easy DIY no-drill installation.
IF you're basically satisfied with its handling and just want to sharpen it up, the Safe-T-Plus is quick and easy. Nobody's more of an RV alignment/handling/upgrade guru than John at Henderson's Line Up in Grants Pass Oregon. I've visited with John and he told me adding a S-T-P is equivalent to setting caster to 5-degrees. The 5-degree setting is what he set the Fords to in Henderson's shop.
BUT first, Weigh it and then look up Michelin's RV Tire Pressure Chart. Based simply on the size of your coach I'm sure the tires are over-inflated. Going over on the REAR only harshens the ride. On FRONT, it contributes to wandering.
Component wear was mentioned above. If this coach has a ton of miles and the ball joints are worn out, you can buy take-off axles and brakes from a 4x4 conversion shop. Less expensive than hiring out a ball joint or major brake job, and you get both.
IF you're basically satisfied with its handling and just want to sharpen it up, the Safe-T-Plus is quick and easy. Nobody's more of an RV alignment/handling/upgrade guru than John at Henderson's Line Up in Grants Pass Oregon. I've visited with John and he told me adding a S-T-P is equivalent to setting caster to 5-degrees. The 5-degree setting is what he set the Fords to in Henderson's shop.
BUT first, Weigh it and then look up Michelin's RV Tire Pressure Chart. Based simply on the size of your coach I'm sure the tires are over-inflated. Going over on the REAR only harshens the ride. On FRONT, it contributes to wandering.
Component wear was mentioned above. If this coach has a ton of miles and the ball joints are worn out, you can buy take-off axles and brakes from a 4x4 conversion shop. Less expensive than hiring out a ball joint or major brake job, and you get both.
